Alcohol 'does not suit him well': Longford defendant has no recollection of obstructing Gardaí and assaulting another man

A Longford man who was involved in a public order incident in Longford town will be assessed by the probation services to determine if he is suitable for community service.

Ronan Nevin (44) 3 Camlin Mews, Longford pleaded guilty in Longford Circuit Court last week in relation to robbery, obstruction of gardaí and public order charges following an incident in the county town on May 19, 2022.

The defendant was initially charged along with three other individuals who have been dealt with separately.

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Mr Nevin appeared in court last Tuesday before Kenneth Connolly in relation to unlawfully obstructing two gardaí, assaulting a male and of engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour in the Fee Court area.

He had 14 previous convictions, including five previous public order convictions.

Defence barrister Gerard Groarke BL stated his client wanted to apologise for his behaviour.

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"He cannot say why (he did it), he simply has no recollection, he was so drunk," he said. "He would not say he has a reliance on alcohol but it does not suit him well."

Mr Groarke insisted that his client is a law-abiding citizen and he asked Judge Connolly to treat him as leniently as possible.

The court heard the defendant had not come to the attention of Gardaí since the incident and he had stopped drinking alcohol.

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Judge Connolly remanded Mr Nevin on continuing bail and directed him to attend a community service suitability assessment with the probation services on February 11 next.

The new initiative is being trialed by the Court Service in Longford in an attempt to speed up the judiciary process.

Judge Connolly indicated if the report is favourable he will sentence Mr Nevin to community service.